Summary

Find out from your doctor or travel health clinic which vaccinations you need for your specific travel arrangements.

The World Health Organization recommends some routine vaccinations for all travellers as well as specific vaccinations for travellers to regions with a high risk of specific diseases.

For some infectious diseases, some countries require proof of immunisation to enter the country.

Many illnesses can be prevented with vaccinations and a little caution.

Some illnesses you can catch overseas can be prevented with immunisation. Anyone travelling overseas should visit their doctor or travel health clinic to find out what vaccinations they need. Even if you think your travel destination is safe, keep in mind that disease outbreaks can and do happen. Vaccination offers good protection against many diseases.

Anyone planning to travel should check with their doctor, the World Health Organization (WHO) and Immunise Australia for the latest information on international infection outbreaks and available vaccines. In addition to immunisations against new infectious diseases, you might need booster doses of vaccines that you have received before.

There is no set immunisation schedule that will suit all travellers, so you must see a doctor. It is important that you don’t wait until the last minute to visit your doctor to discuss the immunisation needs for your trip. You might need a number of doses and you might need time after immunisation for your body to develop full immunity.

Immunisation for travellers

The WHO recommends that all travellers be up-to-date with routine vaccinations. In Australia, this refers to vaccinations available through the Immunise Australia Program. Additional immunisations might be required for people with specific needs or for people travelling to certain areas with a high risk of specific infectious diseases.

Routine immunisations

You should check whether you (and your children) are up-to-date with or need routine immunisations for diseases including:

tetanus

diphtheria

pertussis (whooping cough)

hepatitis B

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib)

human papillomavirus (HPV)

influenza (flu)

varicella (chicken pox)

measles

mumps

rubella

pneuomococcal disease

rotavirus

polio.

The common diseases of childhood occur more frequently in countries without widespread immunisation programs, but they can also occur in countries that do have immunisation programs. If you are travelling with children, it is important that you speak with your doctor about the risks.

Some of these routine immunisations, such as for flu, are important for people with medical conditions such as asthma, respiratory and cardiac conditions, metabolic conditions (such as diabetes) or anyone over 65 years of age.

Selective immunisation for travellers

For travellers to areas with a high risk of specific infections, speak with your doctor about immunisations that you might need for diseases including:

cholera

hepatitis A

Japanese encephalitis

meningococcal C

rabies

tick-borne encephalitis

typhoid fever

tuberculosis

yellow fever.

Proof of immunisation

Some countries require proof of immunisation for some infectious diseases before you enter. Check with your doctor.

Immunisation is a legal requirement for some countries and certification can only be given by an authorised travel health clinic.

Infectious diseases for which there are no vaccines

Infectious diseases are generally transmitted by food, water or a lack of hygiene (for example, ‘gastro’, traveller’s diarrhoea, giardiasis and amoebic dysentery) or by insects (for example, malaria and dengue fever). These diseases can be life threatening. Your doctor will advise you on measures and medications that you can take to help prevent these diseases.

Immunisation and HALO

The immunisations you may need are decided by your health, age, lifestyle and occupation. Together, these factors are referred to as HALO.

Talk to your doctor or immunisation provider if you think you or someone in your care has health, age, lifestyle or occupation factors that could mean immunisation is necessary. You can check your immunisation HALO using the downloadable poster.

SAEFVIC Tel. 1300 882 924 – the line is attended between 9 am and 4 pm and you can leave a message at all other times

Things to remember

Find out from your doctor or travel health clinic which vaccinations you need for your specific travel arrangements.

The World Health Organization recommends some routine vaccinations for all travellers as well as specific vaccinations for travellers to regions with a high risk of specific diseases.

For some infectious diseases, some countries require proof of immunisation to enter the country.

Many illnesses can be prevented with vaccinations and a little caution.

We all love travelling to new and exotic places, but unfortunately illnesses and unforeseen events can ruin the trip of a lifetime. With a little effort, take a few of these simple precautions to make your trip enjoyable.

Protection against infection

Six to eight weeks before your trip, see your doctor for a general check up and to organise any vaccinations and medications. If you don’t have a doctor, Travel Clinics Australia (Tel 1300 369 359) can help. It’s also a good idea to have a dental and optometry check too.

Insure to be sure

Take out travel insurance before you go. Always read the fine print and check you are covered for evacuation to a suitable hospital should an emergency arise. If you are pregnant or have a health condition, organise insurance with pre-existing cover.

Pack a medical kit

Take a medical kit. Include medications, sanitary products, contraception and anything to self-treat common ailments. To be on the safe side, have a prescription for back up. If you wear vision lenses, take an extra pair of glasses. A letter from your doctor is a good idea if you have a health condition or disability.

Pesky mosquitoes

Mosquitoes can carry serious illnesses, such as malaria, Zika virus, yellow fever and dengue fever. Take prescribed medication and wear a repellent that contains at least 30 per cent DEET. Avoid going outside between dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are feeding. When outdoors wear clothing that covers the body, such as socks, long pants and long-sleeve tops. Stay somewhere with air-conditioning, screening and bed nets.

Avoid gastro

Keep clear of poorly prepared foods and untreated water. Busy restaurants and hotels are best rather than street stalls. Food should be well cooked and eat fruit and vegetables that can be peeled. Stay away from shellfish and unpasteurised dairy products. Drink bottled or boiled water. Always practise safe hygiene.

Be travel savvy

Keep up to date with the latest travel advice. Check out the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Smartraveller website – which has details on the safety of travel destinations and emergency contacts. Take a photocopy of your passport and important travel info – make sure to keep them in a safe place. It’s also a good idea to keep the contact details of the Australian embassy with you at all times. If there is no Australian embassy, find out which other embassy may be able to help.

Don't be an easy target

Try to blend in as much as possible. If you look like a tourist, you’re more likely to receive unwanted attention. That means don’t wear expensive jewellery or keep cash, traveller’s cheques and cards visible. Use ATMs during the day. It’s a good idea to wear valuables on a belt under clothing. Always keep passport and travel plans to yourself. If you are robbed or mugged, don’t fight back.

Be vigilant

Collect your luggage as soon as it arrives on the carousel. Ask the staff where you’re staying the safe places to visit and make sure you know what to do in an emergency. Always lock doors of rooms and hire cars. Don’t hitch hike and don’t invite strangers to your room.

Be sensitive to other cultures

Dress modestly and try to keep to a style the locals wear, especially when visiting places of worship. Women who are travelling alone can be more vulnerable to unwanted attention. If you are used to breastfeeding in public, be mindful that some countries find it offensive. If someone is harassing you in any way, try to leave the situation and if concerned, contact police.

What to do when travelling alone

Keep in close contact with people as much as you can. When on public transport for instance, don’t sit in a carriage by yourself. Don’t invite strangers to your room or share a ride in a taxi with someone you don’t know. If you feel vulnerable when going out, let the staff know where you’re going and when you plan to return.

Reduce the impact of jet lag

It's hard to cope with jet lag. Try to get some sleep on the plane, drink lots of water and avoid alcohol. Wear loose clothing and move around the plane when you can. This may also reduce the risk of DVT or blood clotting in the legs. Once you arrive at your destination, spend some time in the sun if possible, it helps reset our body clock.

Don't be an infection risk

Tattoos or piercings done overseas may not be safe, as many countries do not have the same hygiene standards as we do. Particular countries where the risk is greater include Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe and South America. Always practise safe sex, especially in places such as Africa and Southeast Asia where HIV/AIDS and STIs are endemic.

Content Partner

This page has been produced in consultation with and approved by:
Travel Clinics Australia

Last updated:
July 2015

Content on this website is provided for education and information purposes only. Information about a therapy, service, product or treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to replace advice from your doctor or other registered health professional. Content has been prepared for Victorian residents and wider Australian audiences, and was accurate at the time of publication. Readers should note that, over time, currency and completeness of the information may change. All users are urged to always seek advice from a registered health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their medical questions.